Unit 0 AP World History Vocab

hunter-gatherer

A member of a nomadic group that subsists by hunting animals and gathering wild plants for food.

nomadic

Moving from place to place in search of food or resources without a permanent settlement.

matrilineal

Tracing ancestry and inheritance through the mother's line rather than the father's.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled agriculture that began around 10,000 BCE.

agriculture

The cultivation of plants and domestication of animals for food and resources.

domestication

The process of taming and breeding animals or cultivating plants for human use.

sedentary

Staying in one place; characterized by permanent or semi-permanent settlements.

Judaism

One of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, founded among the Hebrews, emphasizing a covenant between God and His people.

Abrahamic

Refers to religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) that trace their origins to the patriarch Abraham.

monotheism

Belief in a single, all-powerful god.

polytheism

Belief in many gods or deities.

patriarchal society

A society in which men hold primary power and dominate political, social, and economic roles.

city-state

An independent, self-governing city and its surrounding territory.

Indo-European

A large language family originating from Central Asia that spread across Europe and South Asia.

Vedas

Ancient sacred texts of Hinduism composed in Sanskrit, outlining early Aryan beliefs and practices.

Hinduism

A major Indian religion emphasizing dharma, karma, and reincarnation within a caste system.

reincarnation

The belief that the soul is reborn into a new body after death.

caste system

A rigid social hierarchy in India based on birth and occupation.

karma

The belief that a person's actions in this life determine their fate in future lives.

dharma

Moral and religious duties in Hinduism and Buddhism that maintain cosmic order.

Buddhism

A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama that teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to end suffering.

Siddhartha Gautama/Buddha

The founder of Buddhism, who achieved enlightenment and taught the path to Nirvana.

Nirvana

The ultimate goal in Buddhism; release from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.

stupas

Dome-shaped Buddhist shrines that house relics of the Buddha or other holy figures.

Rock and Pillar Edicts

Messages carved by Emperor Ashoka of India promoting Buddhist moral values and tolerance.

Shintoism

The indigenous religion of Japan focusing on kami (spirits of nature and ancestors) and ritual purity.

Daoism/Taoism

Chinese philosophy founded by Laozi emphasizing harmony with nature and the Dao ("the Way").

Confucius

Chinese philosopher whose teachings emphasized order, filial piety, and proper behavior in society.

filial piety

Respect and devotion shown to one's parents and ancestors in Confucian thought.

dynasty

A ruling family that holds power over a country for several generations.

mandate of heaven

The Chinese belief that rulers are given authority by the gods but can lose it through corruption or failure.

scholar-gentry

Elite educated officials in imperial China who gained status through civil service exams.

Constantine

Roman emperor who legalized Christianity and founded Constantinople as a new capital.

Hellenistic Period

The era following Alexander the Great's conquests when Greek culture spread across the Mediterranean and Asia.

Pope

The head of the Roman Catholic Church and spiritual leader of Christians in Western Europe.

Jesus of Nazareth

The founder of Christianity, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the Messiah.

Bedouin

Nomadic Arab herders of the Arabian Peninsula.

Muhammad

The founder of Islam, regarded by Muslims as the last prophet of God.

Qur'an/Koran

The holy book of Islam, believed to contain God's revelations to Muhammad.

Five Pillars

The five basic acts of worship in Islam: faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage.

caliph

Successor to Muhammad as the political and religious leader of the Muslim community.

Sunni(s)

Muslims who believe leadership should go to the most qualified, not necessarily a descendant of Muhammad.

Shi'a/Shi'ite

Muslims who believe leadership should remain within Muhammad's family, starting with Ali.

Mawali

Non-Arab converts to Islam who often had lower status in early Islamic society.

dhimmi

Non-Muslims (especially Jews and Christians) living under Muslim rule who were granted protection but paid a special tax.